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Friday, November 24, 2006

The Russian Tea Room

I'm doing illustrations for a Russian-themed Xmas book at the moment. So when Louise and Merlin invited me to Thanksgiving dinner at the newly reopened The Russian Tea Room NYC, I did a spirited Kazatska (a Russian Sailors' Dance).

It was pouring last night but that made not the slightest dent in a delightful evening. The RTR is next door to Carnegie Hall and later you can see New York's big Xmas shiney star hanging at the intersection of 5th avenue and 57th street..

The room is as lovely as ever - full of warm golden light you look your best in, reflected off the gold leaf ceiling. Note the gold firebird relief sculptures in the back, Russian ballet drawings and paintings cover the walls, and the orchids on the front table. So atmospheric...

The food was exquisite, with excellent chef, Gary Robbins at the helm. Louise, Merlin and I shared these 3 lush desserts. Or should I say fought over :)

The gorgeous brass tea samovars are still all over the walls...

They still serve tea in a glass Russian style.. I'm going to paint this soon.

Here's the RTR's doorman decked out in a long red great coat. There's tons of history (architectual and theatrical) attached to The Russian Tea Room.

Four years ago I spent two weeks in New York all by myself as an observator at the UN General Assembly. I loved doing alot of things just alone, and one night went to a concert in Carnegie Hall. Unfortunately I never found the Russian Tea Rooms.I met up with a pen pal one afternoon though, and she took me to Plaza for Afternoon High Tea. I will never forget it :-)

I've been to New York quite a few times and have never managed to go to the Russian Tea Rooms. Once I went but it was shut. You have made me feel as though I were there with you - wasn't the dessert fabulous?

Great pics--enjoyed this. I didn't realize the RTR was open again! I'll have to take my sister up on her offer to come visit and go sometime again... I went years ago twice-once with my parents, and once on my own and saw Jackie O there! What a great place--and those samovars were always so beautifully shiny and beautiful. Made the whole ritual of tea delightful.

Paris Letters

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5. I'm still at it, now tripping over cobblestones, living in a 6th-floor garret on l'Ile Saint-Louis, Paris. Read Parisbreakfast with a hot chocolate and croissant.
I paint Paris breakfasts.